A 36-year-old man has been arrested in Lushnjë after he was suspected of committing two thefts within two days in the village of Plug. According to police, the more serious episode involves a bar, where the suspect took cash and a laptop and then, according to the preliminary investigation, set the business on fire.
The operation and arrest
Police said the arrest was carried out as part of the codename operation “Again.” The man placed in handcuffs was citizen M. G., 36, a resident of the village of Plug, Lushnjë.
According to the official statement, he was caught in flagrante and had previously been convicted of the criminal offense of theft. However, criminal responsibility in the current case remains a matter for investigation and verification by the justice authorities.
What police claim about the two incidents
From investigative actions, according to police, the 36-year-old is suspected of having carried out two thefts on July 16 and 17, 2026, both in the village of Plug.
Specifically, on July 16 he is suspected of stealing 2 vehicle batteries. Meanwhile, in the early hours of July 17, according to the official version, he entered a bar, where he took an amount of money and a laptop.
Suspicion of arson after the theft at the bar
The most serious aspect of the case is linked to what police describe as arson after the theft. According to the statement, after taking the money and laptop, the suspect set the bar on fire.
As a result, the property suffered extensive material damage. At this stage, the authorities have not provided further details on the value of the damage or the exact circumstances of how the incident was documented.
Case materials sent to the Fier Prosecutor’s Office
The procedural materials were referred to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Fier for further action.
For now, everything is based on the police statement and the initial stage of the investigation. It remains to be seen what will be officially proven during the criminal proceedings.
The incident in Plug brings renewed attention to the security of small businesses in rural areas and to the need for the police version to be supported by full investigative evidence.